A TODDLER was dramatically rescued by a hero tradesman from Halton Housing Trust, when he slipped on his toy sword and sustained serious injuries.
 
Brave Ellis Price, three, had been playing super-heroes in his lounge in Wrights Crescent, Widnes, when he impaled his groin area on a plastic sword.

Trust Team Leader Ray Williams, who was working in the vicinity at the time, immediately dashed to the scene when he heard the little boy’s screams and his mother’s pleas for help.

When he arrived, Ray urged Gemma to stay calm and call an ambulance – while he wrapped Ellis in a blanket and walked him up and down.  The toddler was later taken to Alder Hey Hospital where he was given stitches and treated for his injuries.

The incident, which happened at the end of April, has turned Ray into “a real life super-hero,” according to Gemma’s family.

Although Ellis had a lucky escape, the full extent of the damage caused by his injuries will not be known until he is a lot older. Now, Gemma is keen to warn other parents about the dangers of plastic swords.
 
Gemma said: “I am so grateful to Ray for everything he did for us on that day - he really is a true hero. He managed to calm me down – there was no way I would have coped with the situation on my own without Ray by my side. 

“When I saw what had happened to Ellis and all the blood that was running down his legs, I just ran out into the street - screaming and shouting with all my might.
          
“Ray was brilliant, he calmed me down and got me to go into another room to phone the ambulance while he looked after Ellis. I don’t know what I would have done without him – he’s so modest about his achievements but he’s a hero in my eyes.”

She added: “After speaking to the doctor, we don’t know whether there’s been any lasting damage - or even whether he’ll be able to have kids in future.

“I hope people will be more aware about the dangers of these plastic swords after hearing about the awful ordeal that we’ve had.”

Ray, whose temporary contract with the Trust has now come to an end, is a true unsung hero because his actions were only brought to light when Gemma filled in a satisfaction survey after work completed in the area where she lives.

With true modesty, Ray said: “I was delighted to be able to help Gemma and her son but to me, it’s all part of a day’s work.

“I basically got Ellis away from his mum as soon as I could so that she could calm down and call an ambulance. While we waited for the ambulance to arrive I reassured Gemma that everything was going to be ok, and that all Ellis needed was a couple of stitches.

“She was naturally hysterical at the time and I tried calming Ellis down by cradling him and walking him around. I wasn’t shocked by the accident at all as I’ve been a team leader for 35 years and have seen even worse accidents than this. I’m a qualified first aider.”

Nick Atkin, Chief Executive at Halton Housing Trust, said: “We are very proud of Ray’s actions and thanks to his conscientious nature and first aid experience, both Gemma and Ellis were in safe hands.

“We would commend anyone who goes beyond their call of duty like Ray did and his actions are testament to the ‘can do’ approach of our team at Halton Housing Trust.”